What Day of the Week Does VA Unemployment Pay?
Understand the complete process of Virginia unemployment payments. Get essential details on receiving and managing your benefits.
The Virginia Unemployment Compensation program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible individuals who have lost their employment through no fault of their own. Administered by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), this program helps bridge financial gaps while individuals actively seek new work.
When Payments Are Issued
The Virginia Employment Commission processes weekly unemployment claims, which can then lead to benefit payments. While there isn’t a single, fixed day each week for deposits, the VEC typically issues payments after a claimant successfully certifies their weekly eligibility. Once processed by the VEC, it takes one to three business days for funds to appear in a recipient’s bank account or on a debit card. This processing time can vary based on individual financial institutions.
Recipients have two primary methods for receiving benefits: direct deposit or a state-issued debit card. For direct deposit, claimants must provide their bank’s routing number and their personal account number during the application. Alternatively, benefits can be loaded onto a Way2Go Card, a prepaid MasterCard debit card. This card is mailed to the claimant and requires activation before funds can be accessed.
Maintaining Eligibility for Payments
To ensure continuous receipt of unemployment benefits, individuals must fulfill specific weekly requirements. This involves filing a weekly claim, also known as certifying for benefits, which covers the period from Sunday through Saturday. This weekly certification must be submitted no later than 21 days after the claim week ends. Failure to complete this step can result in benefits being stopped.
During the weekly claim process, claimants must report any earnings from work, even if payment has not yet been received. They must also confirm their ability and availability to accept suitable employment. Claimants are expected to conduct an active search for work, which involves contacting a minimum of two different employers each week. Records of these work search contacts, including employer names, contact information, and results, must be maintained for at least one year for auditing purposes.
Checking Payment Status and Addressing Issues
After filing weekly claims, recipients can monitor the status of their unemployment payments through official channels provided by the Virginia Employment Commission. The VEC’s online Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal offers a convenient way to view processed payments, their amounts, and the dates they were issued. An automated Voice Response System (VRS) is also available for accessing similar payment information by phone.
Payment delays can occur for various reasons, including pending issues that require further review, such as discrepancies in information or employer disputes. Incorrect banking details or Social Security numbers provided during the application process can also lead to interruptions in benefit delivery. While the VEC works to resolve these issues, it is advisable to wait at least five business days after a payment is expected before contacting the VEC for assistance. For specific concerns or to resolve payment problems, individuals can reach the VEC Customer Contact Center by phone or utilize online contact forms.